The Apple Watch is one of the most advanced smart devices on the market, offering a blend of health tracking, connectivity, and convenience. One of its key features is water resistance, but many users are unsure how this feature works especially if their watch has been repaired or is an older model.
Let’s take a closer look at how Apple Watch water resistance works, how it varies between models, and what you should avoid doing to keep your watch safe.
If your Apple Watch is brand new and has never been repaired, you can safely use it for water-related activities within limits.
Apple assigns water resistance ratings to each model. For example:
Apple Watch Series 6 and SE are rated for water resistance up to 50 metres, making them suitable for swimming or showering.
Apple Watch Ultra has the highest resistance and can handle recreational scuba diving up to 40 metres and high-speed water sports.
These ratings, however, don’t mean your watch is waterproof. The resistance can wear down over time or after impact.
With a new, unmodified Apple Watch, you can:
Swim in pools or shallow ocean water
Shower or wash hands while wearing it
Use the Apple Watch Ultra for water-based sports such as surfing or diving up to 40m
After swimming in salt water or chlorinated pools, always rinse and dry your watch to prevent corrosion or chemical damage.
To maintain your watch’s water resistance:
Avoid high-velocity water like jets or waterfalls.
Don’t drop or strike the watch even minor impacts can reduce resistance.
Avoid exposing it to soaps, perfumes, shampoos, or solvents, as these can damage seals and gaskets.
The Water Lock feature helps protect your Apple Watch while swimming by sealing the screen and buttons to prevent accidental touches. When you’re done, rotating the Digital Crown ejects any trapped water from the speaker holes.
However:
Water Lock doesn’t make the watch waterproof it only provides short-term protection.
It doesn’t guarantee protection for repaired or older devices.
Do not rely on it if your watch has ever been opened or serviced by a third party.
📌 Repaired watches are no longer guaranteed to be water-resistant.
If your Apple Watch is several years old and hasn’t been serviced, its water resistance has likely weakened naturally over time. The seals and adhesives degrade with age, even without visible damage.
We recommend avoiding swimming, bathing, or exposing an older Apple Watch to water, even if it once had a good water resistance rating.
If your Apple Watch has undergone screen repair or any other type of service, it’s no longer water-resistant. The adhesive seal that keeps water out is nearly impossible to restore to factory conditions once the watch has been opened.
Using a repaired watch in water can lead to irreversible internal damage, including corrosion of the logic board or battery failure. Even if it seems fine initially, moisture damage may appear later.
📌 We strongly advise not using a repaired Apple Watch in water.
Apple Watch water damage occurs when liquid seeps into the internal components, affecting the screen, sensors, and battery. This can lead to:
Display flickering or black spots
Unresponsive touchscreen
Overheating or short-circuiting
Permanent failure of internal circuits
Even Apple states that after any repair whether by them or a third-party water resistance cannot be guaranteed.
At iWatchRepair.co.uk, we use water-tight adhesives during Apple Watch screen repairs, but we do not guarantee water resistance after servicing.
Even Apple’s own warranty does not cover water damage post-repair. Therefore, if you enjoy swimming or water sports regularly, we recommend avoiding exposure to water after any repair.
The water resistance feature of the Apple Watch adds great convenience and versatility, letting you swim, shower, or work out without worry. However, that protection depends on the model, age, and whether it has been repaired.
If your watch is new and undamaged, you can safely enjoy shallow-water activities. But if it’s older or has been repaired, keep it dry to avoid costly Apple Watch water damage.
At iWatchRepair.co.uk, we provide affordable Apple Watch screen repair and replacement services across the UK restoring your device with precision and care.
Need help or have questions about your Apple Watch?
📱 WhatsApp: Message us directly
📞 Phone: 020 8064 2362
📧 Email: info@iwatchrepair.co.uk
Visit us at iWatchRepair.co.uk — trusted experts in Apple Watch screen repair and replacement.
